City Offers Safety Tips With Extreme Weather Conditions In Weekend Forecast

Press release from the City of Joliet:

Current forecasts for the upcoming weekend in Joliet and the surrounding communities call for potentially hazardously low cold temperatures and life-threatening wind chills. This is extremely dangerous weather and serious precautions should be taken. If possible, stay indoors during this time. If you must go outdoors, limit yours and pets’ time and dress properly. Based on the projected upcoming temperatures, warming centers will be open from Saturday, February 6, through Monday February 8, 2021.

City Hall will be open during regular business hours (8 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.).

Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes

• Open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing.

• Insulate pipes in cold prone areas of your home using pipe insulation.

• If pipes are already frozen, shut off water immediately at the inside main valve.

• Use warm air to thaw a frozen pipe, like a hair dryer or supervised space heater. Never use an open flame. If your pipes are frozen for more than 24-hours please call the City of Joliet Department of Public Utilities 24 hour line at 815-724-4220.

For additional information concerning frozen pipes and other cold weather tips, please follow @TheCityofJoliet on Facebook & Twitter.

Warming Centers in Joliet:

A list of warming centers around Will County including Joliet can be found at: https://www.willcountyema.org/warmingcooling.

Locations listed for Joliet are:

Catholic Charities Daybreak Center

611 E. Cass St.

Joliet, IL 60432

815-774-4663

MorningStar Mission

350 E. Washington St.

Joliet, IL 60433

815-722-5780

Buildings that are open to the public during regular business hours may also be able to temporarily accommodate those seeking shelter from the extreme temperatures. Residents are encouraged to keep weekend and business hours in mind when checking on locations and to always call a facility prior to arriving to ensure they are operating as a warming center.

Please check on the elderly, those with medical conditions and those with special needs during periods of extreme cold weather. To request a wellness check or if you are in need of temporary shelter, please contact the Joliet Police Department 24-hour non-emergency number at 815-726-2491.

Please make sure that you have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detector in your home.

Keeping Pets Safe in the Cold:

• This dangerously cold weather is deadly to animals if left outdoors. Bring your pets indoors.

• Do not leave your pets alone in a vehicle.

• Make sure your pet has a warm, dry place with plenty of food and water.

• Keep salt away from pets' paws.

• If you see an animal outdoors and in need, become their advocate. Contact Joliet Animal Control at 815-720-0333 to report an animal in distress.

Additional Cold Weather Tips https://www.willcountyema.org/extreme-cold

Always call 9-1-1 in case of a medical emergency.

James, V. Capparelli

City Manager

The City of Joliet is the third largest city in the state of Illinois and home to over 149,000 residents. Joliet sits 35 miles southwest of Chicago and is easily accessible by auto, train and bus; making it the perfect place to live, work and play. Joliet is constantly striving to promote growth and diversity. For more information on Joliet visit www.joliet.gov or call 815-724-4000. The City of Joliet’s Media Releases are always available on our website.

This press release was produced by the City of Joliet. The views expressed here are the author’s own.